In a letter released on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping directed Sichuan University to leverage its diverse academic strengths—ranging from the humanities to medicine and engineering—to bolster China’s broader national development strategy. The communication served as a formal response to faculty and students at the Chengdu-based institution, which is currently celebrating its 130th anniversary.

Xi’s message emphasizes a growing trend in Beijing to task higher education institutions with playing a more direct role in the country’s technological self-reliance. By encouraging an interdisciplinary approach, the government aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical needs of China’s hi-tech sector. While the letter focuses on the university's role in national progress, it reflects a wider policy shift where academic institutions are increasingly expected to align their research priorities with state-led economic and technological ambitions.